Friday Announcements – 2 May 2025
1. Discover Grid Pad 16 from Smartbox
2. QVoice App Goes Live!
3. Clinical Scientist Vacancy – Sussex
4. CATE 2025 Conference Registration Now Open
5. The SNAPS Superhero Challenge 2025!
News from Communication Matters
6. AAC Awards 2025 – Nominations Open & Ticket Sales
7. Belfast AAC Information Day – Book Now
8. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Register Now
9. CM Office Closed Bank Holiday Monday
10. About Friday Announcements
1. Discover Grid Pad 16 from Smartbox
From Hannah Craven, Smartbox Assistive Technology Ltd:
Grid Pad 16 is the latest addition to the Grid Pad family, bringing you all the powerful communication features of Grid Pad, now with a bigger, brighter, and more detailed display.
Explore all the details: https://thinksmartbox.com/news/discover-grid-pad-16/
2. QVoice App Goes Live!
From Michael Marcucio, QVoice:
QVoice, a new Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app went live this week.
QVoice is specifically designed to support Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and emerging Speech-Generating Device (SGD) users. Recognizing the vital role professionals play, we’re offering the QVoice app completely free to all SLPs and teachers.
Key details:
- What: QVoice AAC App Launch
- Website: https://qvoice.app
- Target Users: SLPs, Teachers, and Emerging SGD users
- Key Feature: Free access for all SLPs and Teachers
- Availability: iPad, iPhone, Android, and Web Browser
You can learn more about our launch and the app’s features in our announcement here. We’ll also be posting demonstration videos on our Instagram throughout the week to showcase how QVoice can be utilized effectively.
3. Clinical Scientist Vacancy – Sussex
From Michelle Thole, Chailey Clinical Services:
Chailey Communication Aid Service are looking to recruit a B7 part time Clinical Scientist to their team. We are looking for someone to join our lovely team for 3 days a week to support the provision of power-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication to adults, young people and children across the whole of Sussex (including Brighton and Hove) and Surrey. Please click on the job advert link below for more information, or contact Sam Micklewright on 01825 721506 or email [email protected].
4. CATE 2025 Conference Registration Now Open
From Leslie Emery, University of Colorado Denver:
The Center for Innovative Design and Engineering (CIDE) and the Colorado Department of Education are proud to announce open registration for the 2025 Conference for Assistive Technology and Education (CATE)!
This 2-day virtual conference features sessions with nationally renowned trainers addressing a wide variety of assistive technology topics related to the academic support needs of students with disabilities. For more information visit www.swaaac.org.
The conference takes place 5th– 6th June from 9am-4pm MT (7 hours behind UK). For further details of speakers, topics and costs, please click here https://web.cvent.com/event/a7a6f617-551d-47e9-92cf-8c1a790a2915/summary. Register by 30th April for Early Bird Pricing.
5. The SNAPS Superhero Challenge 2025!
From Lucy Carter, SNAPS Yorkshire:
We would like to invite all families in Leeds to join us for an exciting day of fun and entertainment! The SNAPS (Special Needs and Parent Support) Superhero Challenge is an inclusive ‘fun run’ style event which gives children with additional needs the chance to feel like a superhero for the day. All ages and abilities welcome.
Date: Sunday, 29th June 2025, 10:30am to 12:30pm
Cost: Registration fee: £0 to £12, (Families can register for the Superhero Challenge for free if they commit to raising £47 or more in sponsorship. Alternatively, tickets cost £12 per child if you would prefer not to fundraise – adults are free)
Venue: John Charles Centre for Sport, Middleton Grove, Belle Isle, Leeds LS11 5DJ
For more information and tickets visit: SNAPS Superhero Challenge: 29th June, 2025 – SNAPS Yorkshire
As well as the zoom around the track, we will have lots of other fun activities, including face painting, games and sensory activities. Every child will decide on their own distance target for the event. They can walk, run or wheel* around the track being cheered on to the finish line where they will receive their own challenge medal!
*only applies to accessibility aids such as wheelchairs, walkers, pushchairs.
6. AAC Awards 2025 – Nominations Open & Ticket Sales
Nominations for the AAC Awards 2025 are now open! Follow the link below to fill in a form to nominate an AAC user, a family member or carer, professional or team, project or product that has supported you or helped to achieve the unachievable! Self-nominations are permitted and encouraged but all must be accompanied by a statement of support for the person, organisation, project or product you are nominating which can be given in a written or alternative format. Nominations close on Friday the 13th of June at midnight.
The AAC Awards are moving to the CM International AAC Conference! Though they are included in the price of the two-day conference registration or can be added on to one day or exhibition only attendee registrations, they are open for all to join. Not coming to conference this year? You will be at conference but you would like family, friends or colleagues to join in the Awards fun? No problem! Tickets for those who want to attend the Awards only are now on sale.
Submit a nomination and buy tickets here:
https://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/conference/awards/
7. Belfast AAC Information Day – Book Now
This AAC Information Day is a product demonstration day supported and presented by our Commercial Members from the UK’s leading suppliers of communication aids, equipment, software and symbol systems.
The day consists of five sessions which provide information and offer up-to-date knowledge on the range of AAC products available in the UK. There will also be an exhibition period where you can try out products.
Date: Thursday 12 June 2025
Venue: Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, Antrim, BT14 6E
Cost: FREE to attend! Lunch & refreshments are provided
To find out which suppliers are attending, please visit our website by clicking on the links below:
Book your place now!
8. CM2025 International AAC Conference – Register Now
Registration is now open, but we wanted to highlight some exciting changes and additions taking place this year.
One notable change is the conference being shortened to two days. We will open the main conference on Monday 8th September at 9AM and close at 4PM Tuesday the 9th. While this means a slightly shorter conference than previous years, we have worked hard to consolidate the programme to offer better value with events on either side. These include:
- Pre-Conference Relaxed Exhibition: on the afternoon of 7th September, we will be providing a time for conference delegates and the community who need a quieter and less busy space to meet with suppliers. This is a free optional event for those who wish to add it to their delegate package. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
- AAC Awards: on the evening of 8th September, we will be hosting our biennial event celebrating all forms of communication, the people who use AAC, the professionals, families and suppliers that support them. Being held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, we are certain the awards, dinner and dancing will prove to be a fun and exciting night for all! This event is included in the full delegate registration price. It can be added to one-day and exhibition-only delegates at an additional price. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
- Post-Conference Research Study Day: this additional day on 10th September is open to conference delegates and others who are interested in research focused strands delivered by an international cohort of researchers and academics. This event can be added to all delegate packages at an additional price. Tickets will also be available to people not attending conference.
Changes to accommodation
In another effort to offer choice and value, there are now options available for conference delegates to choose accommodation. When going through the registration process you can add on-campus accommodation at Storm Jameson, which will be added to the full conference delegate rate. You can also choose to opt-out and stay elsewhere. We have teamed up with Conference Leeds to offer delegates preferential rates at hotels within Leeds for your convenience.
Registration is now open!
Book early to take advantage of the Early Bird discount which expires on 11th July.
See prices and book online here.
9. CM Office Closed Bank Holiday Monday
The Communication Matters Office will be closed on Monday 5th May for the Bank Holiday. Please email [email protected] with any enquiries and we will get back to you as soon as possible on re-opening. Thank you for your understanding.
10. About Friday Announcements
These ‘Friday Announcements’ comprise weekly product updates, upcoming courses, and supplier news. Please email [email protected] with the item you want to be included by Thursday at 5pm – no more than 200 words (one entry per organisation per week) – and include contact email and/or link so readers can find out further information (no file attachments please).
